Local News

Roane County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tim Phillips once thought steel bars and barbed wire was the solution to crime. That’s not the case now.

“Fifteen years ago, I thought I could lock everybody up and save the world, and that’s not the answer,” Phillips told the Roane County Commission’s Sheriff’s Liaison Committee this week. “Now, if you got to lock somebody up that’s fine, but if we can help them, we need to help them.”

The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a winter storm watch for March 5 in Roane County.

Director of Schools Gary Aytes said early Wednesday afternoon that no decision had been made thus far about canceling school for Thursday, but he and other officials are monitoring the weather situation.

"We will definitely make a decision by 5:30 in the morning," Aytes said. "We've already determined we're not waiting any later than 5:30 the morning of, but hopefully we'll be able to make a decision tonight."

U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office Manager Larry Kelly died on Feb. 26. He was 58.

“Words cannot describe the sadness we feel with the passing of Larry,” said Kevin Hall, the office’s deputy manager.

“The loss of our leader is heavy on our hearts, but it is the loss of a friend that leaves an emptiness that will be difficult to endure. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Rubenia, and daughter, Kristyn.”

Jerry and Sherron Goddard are still getting used to their new home on Cemetery Lane.

“Strange,” Jerry said about his surroundings.

The structure is in the same location where the Goddards have lived together for more than 30 years. Their original home was destroyed in a fire in December 2013. Instead of moving, the Goddards decided to rebuild. They moved into the new home last fall.

Rural agricultural producers and small business owners can now apply for resources to purchase and install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. These efforts help farmers, ranchers and other small business owners save money on their energy bills, reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, support America’s clean energy economy, and cut carbon pollution. The resources are made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill.